UNDERSTANDING MISSIONS (3)

 UNDERSTANDING MISSIONS (3)

Hindrances to Discipleship (Part 3)

Another said, "Yes, Lord, I will come, but first let me ask permission of those at home." But Jesus told him, "Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God. Luke 9:61-62

We have come to the concluding part of the hindrances to Discipleship making as depicted in the story of the three would-be disciples in Luke 9: 57-62. 

The third would-be disciple was not in any way different from the first one who voluntarily offered himself to follow Jesus. But apparently, following Jesus is much more than wishful desire. It must pleased the Master to bid us to follow Him. We cannot respond to call we didn't received. "And having chosen us, he called us to come to him; and when we came, he declared us "not guilty," filled us with Christ's goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory." Romans 8:30 TLB

Again, this would-be disciple was like the second who was called but he has other priority which he must first attended to before he would respond to the call to follow. He said to Jesus, "Yes, Lord, I will come, but first let me ask permission of those at home." The request sounds reasonable and logical. But the truth is this, he was an example of men-pleasers. The Bible described them as: "They loved praise from people more than praise from God." John 12:43. These are men who would not venture into any spiritual assignments until their families assented to it. Their spiritual journey and investment centres around their family members. I have come across pastors who started and expanded their ministries because of financial support and promise they enjoyed from family. 

These are men who have turned the kingdom work into household affairs. They listened and incorporate family interests into the Kingdom work because they do not in any way desires to offend their kit and kin. 

As we go about preaching from village to village, from one tribe to another, I've come across several men and women whose culture is wrapped around taking instructions from their wife, husband, father and mother before they say YES to anything. Some would not allow you utter any word until other family member is present and they collectively accept your offer. I've seen youths who stopped giving and supporting Kingdom work because their parents stood against it and termed it as wastage.  Some church members stopped supporting missions and missionaries because their pastors convinced them that church is not more than raising a bigger church building. Some passionate souls have been discouraged from going on inter-tribal and international mission work because their leaders told them that supporting and reaching out to youth, children and elderly in their denomination is far better than any wasteful travelling that incurs frivolous expenses. 

Jesus reprimanded the man saying, no one who is focused on the kingdom matter must allow any distraction. For such will mean LOOKING BACK. 

Peter and Andrew, James and John were all called when they were engaged in business with their parents. But they obeyed the Master. Matthew left the toll to followed Jesus forthwith. Anyone intending to go far and deep in this Kingdom Business must learn to promptly obey the Master. 

The Kingdom Business will profit little if family counsel and instructions form the basis of our decisions and commitment to things of God.

Are you free from family ties which hinder men from making solid decision for God? 

Following Jesus has a high cost. Apostle Paul says, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” Philipians  3:13–14

Peter Abdul-Razaq, OLAYINKA 

Living Grace Christian Missions, Ilara.

WhatsApp +22994139130

peterrazaq@yahoo.com

Twitter & Instagram: @peterrazaq